Ramasamy wants Penang EXCO reprimanded for unilateral decision on Indian Muslim housing discount
I CANNOT stop wondering at how the Penang state government could permit an EXCO member to make unilateral announcements without the approval or endorsement of the state executive council (EXCO).
I am bewildered that Penang state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo could announce a 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims under the Madani housing scheme without apparent consultation with his other EXCO colleagues.
Sundarajoo justified the move on grounds of low participation among Indian Muslims in state housing.
But can he furnish data to back this claim? What are the comparative participation rates of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Indian Muslims?
He also stated that this discount would not affect allocations for the Malays – yet he seems to overlook the complex identity overlap where some Indian Muslims are classified as Malay/Bumiputera while others maintain their distinct ethnic identity.
Has there been any study quantifying the percentage of Indian Muslims who qualify under the Bumiputera category versus those who identify separately?
Jumping the gun?
Without such data, it's hard to justify a policy decision that could result in dual benefits for a segment of the population, raising questions of fairness and equity.
Had this proposal been tabled in an EXCO meeting, its flaws could have been debated and possibly avoided.
But instead, Sundarajoo proceeded based on consultations with developers – not the state government – casting doubt on the integrity of Penang's housing policy framework.
This was a poor decision made without transparency and without consideration for other equally deserving communities. The policy lacked sound rationale and undermined public confidence.
In this regard, I commend Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for stepping in to reverse the decision and broadening the discount to all eligible Malaysians.
I urge Chow to go a step further – reprimand Perai state assemblyman Sundarajoo for bypassing proper procedure and acting irresponsibly on a matter of public policy. – June 9, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysiakini
an hour ago
- Malaysiakini
We are what we read - or don't
COMMENT | Growing up, friends used to make up words. One was 'nato' - no action, talk only. That word applies to the prime minister's remark at the KL International Book Fair. He said then that the 'Madani nation… is rooted in conviction and love for knowledge… (but) just look at the political and economic discourse in our country… it is not based on knowledge or reading. It is driven by sentiment, anger, hatred, judgment... even religion is turned into a platform (for political gain).'
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
South Korea: From arms seller to Philippines to deeper defence partner possible
MANILA: South Korea could take a step further in its growing defence ties with the Philippines and consider taking part in joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea and negotiating a possible visiting forces agreement, according to a Korean expert, adding his voice to growing calls for deeper security cooperation between the two countries. Both countries are facing hostile neighbours. Chinese vessels have rammed and used water cannons on Philippine ships and flashed military-grade lasers at Philipppine troops on several occasions, while South Korea grapples with nuclear threats from North Korea, a key ally of China. 'If China's coercive actions in the South China Sea escalate and begin to threaten the stability of South Korea's maritime trade routes, and the United States calls on South Korea to participate in joint patrols to help maintain regional stability, then South Korea would likely have no choice but to join neighbouring countries in such joint patrol operations,' Keun Sik Moon, professor at Hanyang University and former Korean navy officer, said. The Philippines has been conducting regular joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, with its closest security partners US, Japan and Australia, and also with other friendly states. Manila and Seoul have upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership last year, including broader defence and security cooperation. South Korea is among the Philippines' top arms suppliers. Moon said he was in favour of a status of visiting forces agreement between Manila and Seoul, which allows increased defence cooperation and allows both countries to hold exercises in each other's territories. 'Korea-Philippines VFA could support joint amphibious training, maritime interdiction and anti-terror drills. It also secures local MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) hubs for South-East Asian exports and enhances Korea's force mobility,' he said. This agreement, Moon said, 'aligns with Korea's global security strategy and enhances joint defence readiness against South China Sea threats, elevating Korea from an arms seller to a strategic security partner.' The Philippines already has similar agreements with the United States, Australia, Japan and New Zealand. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said last month that they will 'start scoping and see what happens' after the elections in South Korea if VFA discussions can start. He was in favour of a possible VFA deal due to existing military cooperation with Seoul. 'We already have interoperability with them, especially in naval operations, and our FA-50 aircraft came from them,' he said. The Philippines last week signed a deal for an additional 12 FA-50 light fighters from Korea Aerospace Industries for P40 billion. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Chinese aircraft carrier seen operating deeper into Pacific
FILE PHOTO: Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. - Xinhua TOKYO: A Chinese aircraft carrier made one of its deepest forays into the Pacific Ocean over the weekend as Beijing continues to project its military power further from its shores. The Liaoning and three other Chinese naval vessels were seen on June 7 around 300km south-west of the remote, uninhabited Japanese island of Minamitori, according to a statement from Japan's Joint Chief of Staff. Minamitori is more than 1,800km south-east of Tokyo. The Chinese carrier was within the portion of Japan's exclusive economic zone around the island. A day later, Japan said it confirmed the takeoff and landing of fighter jets and helicopters from the deck of the carrier, an indication of exercises to test the ability of pilots and sailors to perform combat operations. The sightings are likely the first time any of China's three aircraft carriers have been observed operating east of the so-called second island chain, a string of islands that extends from Japan, through the Northern Mariana Islands and south to Guam. The second chain and the first island chain, which is closer to China and includes Japan's southern Ryuku Islands and the Philippines, limit China's access to the western Pacific Ocean. US, Japanese and other military bases sit along both of the chains. In the case of a conflict in the Western Pacific involving the US, such as a possible military engagement over Taiwan, China could be at risk from US forces deployed from large American bases in Hawaii. The ability to operate east of the second chain could help China's navy counter such deployments. Neither the US Indo-Pacific Command nor the Foreign Ministry in Beijing immediately responded to a request for comment. The Liaoning, a rebuilt Russian vessel, is the oldest of China's carriers. In recent days it has sailed with accompanying ships widely around the Western Pacific, including rare sightings to the east of the Philippines, according to Japan's Joint Chief of Staff. Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told China's state-run Global Times last week that the Liaoning was conducting normal training activities. Wang said Chinese carriers are expected to go further into deep ocean areas in the future, according to the report. - Bloomberg
